Epidural Injection (lumbar/caudal)

(Epidural of the Lower Back/caudal)

An epidural injection, is a common type of surgery to treat back and leg pain such as sciatica.

The effects of an epidural injection are temporary, providing relief from a week to up to one year. An epidural can be beneficial for a patient during an acute phase of back pain. Importantly, an injection can provide sufficient pain relief to allow a patient to progress with a rehabilitative stretching and exercise program. If the initial injection is effective for a patient, he or she may have up to three in a one-year period.

Arranging your Treatment

Before going ahead with this treatment, you will need to have an initial consultation with a specialist Consultant to go through your medical history and diagnosis. At this appointment, your consultant will confirm the exact treatment you require.

If you would like to have an initial consultation, you can call us and we can help you find the best consultant for you to see.

Paying for your Treatment

You can be treated at KIMS by using your private medical insurance or by paying for yourself.

If you have private medical insurance, you will need to contact your insurer to ensure you are covered for the initial consultation prior to making an appointment and obtain an authorisation number. The insurance company will then need to be advised if you require further treatment. The insurance company usually settles bills on your behalf.

If you are paying for your own treatment, you will need to pay for an initial consultation. This will be confirmed at the time of booking but is typically £150-£250. You will also need to pay for any associated diagnostic tests your consultant recommends (for example x-rays and blood tests).

Following this consultation, if you don’t need any further treatment or if you decide paying for yourself isn’t the right option, there is no commitment to proceed further.

If you require the operation or procedure to be carried out, you will receive a quote for your treatment. This quote is also subject to pre-assessment checks prior to your admission to hospital.

Payment is required 7 days prior to admission.

Prices

The table below shows the approximate price for this treatment, which may vary depending on your individual case (see what’s included below).

Patient pathway

Diagnostic investigations

Main treatment

Post-discharge care

Guide Price

Hospital fees

n/a

£1,700

Included

£1,700

Guide price

Nil

£1,700

Nil

£1,700

What’s Included

The fixed price package above includes all the costs associated with this treatment at KIMS Hospital.
You will be given a quote prior to admission to confirm this cost. The amount you are quoted may differ from the published price for a number of reasons:

The Consultant you choose

Your medical history and whether you have any associated medical conditions which may impact this treatment

The type of anaesthetic your Consultant advises is best for you

The type of implant or drug you choose or your Consultant advises is best for you

In some cases, if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, it may not be possible to provide you with a fixed price for your Main Treatment. If this is the case, the hospital will discuss the available options with you. Your quote is also subject to pre-assessment checks prior to your admission to hospital.

An epidural injection is a day case procedure that is carried out under local anaesthetic and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The procedure is carried out on an x-ray table. The team will help you get into the correct position (lying on your stomach) or with a pillow under your stomach if this is more comfortable. An antiseptic solution, which may feel very cold, will be used to clean your back. A local anaesthetic will be inserted to numb the insertion area.

Using fluoroscopy (live X-ray) for guidance, a needle is accurately inserted into the skin and directed toward the sacral canal of the sacral hiatus. Fluoroscopy is important in guiding the needle into the sacral hiatus to ensure accuracy. Once the needle is in the proper position, contrast is injected to confirm the needle location. The epidural steroid solution is then injected. Although the steroid solution is injected slowly, most patients sense some pressure due to the amount of the solution used. The pressure of the injection is not normally painful.

Once the procedure has been completed you will be taken back to the day case unit where you will recover before being allowed home. Please ensure that you have arranged for someone to drive you home.

There can be an initial exacerbation of discomfort before you start experiencing the pain relief. During this period, you may need to increase your pain killers which your consultant will discuss with you before leaving the hospital.